How Desert Hedgehog Signaling Contributes to Mitral Valve Remodeling During Development
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physiology and Health
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Mitral Valve Prolapse is a common heart condition that affects 1 in 40 Americans and can lead to other secondary complications like heart failure. There are very few treatments for this specific heart problem, but our lab's recent discovery of primary cilia, specifically Desert Hedgehog signaling associated with cilia, has led us to believe that cilia are allowing signaling of certain pathways that affect the structural development of the mitral valve. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to show how Desert Hedgehog signaling affected components in the mitral valve. New born mice hearts were dissected, embedded, and sectioned to see if the absence or presence of Desert Hedgehog had an effect of the protein expression and morphology of the mitral valve. Our data showed that Desert Hedgehog signaling is present in heart valves. This signaling allows for essential protein expression on the mitral valve, and with Desert Hedgehog absent a myxomatous phenotype is produced. Desert Hedgehog does cause certain proteins to be expressed on the heart tissue which is essential for valve development. These findings will help isolate the cause of mitral valve prolapse and eventually allow for other non-surgical treatments for this condition.
Recommended Citation
Bian, Justin, "How Desert Hedgehog Signaling Contributes to Mitral Valve Remodeling During Development" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 131.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/131
Location
Furman Hall 201
Start Date
3-28-2020 9:44 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
How Desert Hedgehog Signaling Contributes to Mitral Valve Remodeling During Development
Furman Hall 201
Mitral Valve Prolapse is a common heart condition that affects 1 in 40 Americans and can lead to other secondary complications like heart failure. There are very few treatments for this specific heart problem, but our lab's recent discovery of primary cilia, specifically Desert Hedgehog signaling associated with cilia, has led us to believe that cilia are allowing signaling of certain pathways that affect the structural development of the mitral valve. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to show how Desert Hedgehog signaling affected components in the mitral valve. New born mice hearts were dissected, embedded, and sectioned to see if the absence or presence of Desert Hedgehog had an effect of the protein expression and morphology of the mitral valve. Our data showed that Desert Hedgehog signaling is present in heart valves. This signaling allows for essential protein expression on the mitral valve, and with Desert Hedgehog absent a myxomatous phenotype is produced. Desert Hedgehog does cause certain proteins to be expressed on the heart tissue which is essential for valve development. These findings will help isolate the cause of mitral valve prolapse and eventually allow for other non-surgical treatments for this condition.
